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Restoration Resources

Guides, checklists and plain explanations of how restoration works, written by the people who do it. Read up before you call, or use them to check the work on your own job.

Emergency ChecklistsBrowse Guides

Dealing with damage right now? Call (800) 719-4808, 24/7

Complete guides

Everything we know, in one place.

Two in-depth guides, each split into short topics you can read in a few minutes.

Air movers drying a flooded roomWater damage

Water Damage Restoration: The Complete Guide

What causes water damage, how drying works, what it costs, how insurance handles it and how to stop it happening again.

23 topics · 360+ articles planned

  • Water damage categories & classes
  • Plumbing & pipe failures
  • Appliance leaks
  • Roof, window & exterior leaks
  • Weather & natural events
  • Sewage backup & contaminated water
  • Basement & crawl space flooding
  • Emergency first steps
  • Water extraction & drying
  • Structural drying & equipment
  • Damage to specific materials
  • Damage in specific rooms
  • Commercial & multi-family
  • Insurance claims & documentation
  • Cost & estimates
  • Restoration timelines
  • DIY vs professional
  • Choosing a restoration company
  • Prevention & maintenance
  • Special situations
  • Construction & reconstruction
  • Large-scale water disasters
  • Disaster response & coordination
Open the guide
Mold growth along a damp wallMold

Mold Remediation: The Complete Guide

How to spot mold, when to test, how professional remediation works and how to keep it from coming back.

14 topics · 140+ articles planned

  • Mold types & identification
  • Causes & growth conditions
  • Health effects & symptoms
  • Inspection & testing
  • The remediation process
  • Mold in specific materials
  • Mold in specific rooms
  • Commercial & multi-family
  • Insurance & claims
  • Cost & pricing
  • Prevention & maintenance
  • Choosing a mold company
  • DIY vs professional
  • Mold after water damage & fire
Open the guide

Emergency checklists

What to do in the first hour.

(800) 719-4808

Only do what is safe. When in doubt, get out and call.

Water leak or flood

  1. Shut off the main water valve.
  2. Turn off power to wet rooms at the breaker.
  3. Move electronics and valuables off wet floors.
  4. Take photos and video before anything moves.
  5. Don't use a household vacuum on standing water.

After a fire

  1. Wait until the fire department clears you to go in.
  2. Keep foot traffic low to avoid spreading soot.
  3. Don't wipe soot off walls, furniture or fabric.
  4. Don't use ceiling fixtures or outlets until checked.
  5. Call your insurer and a restoration company.

Sewage backup

  1. Keep kids and pets out of the area.
  2. Stop using sinks, toilets and appliances that drain.
  3. Don't touch the water without gloves and boots.
  4. Throw out food that came in contact with it.
  5. Leave the cleanup to a certified crew.

You found mold

  1. Don't scrub, scrape or spray it.
  2. Close the door and keep the HVAC off in that area.
  3. Look for the water source: leak, drip or condensation.
  4. Take photos for your records.
  5. Book an inspection with testing.

Equipment explained

What's that machine in my living room?

Every piece of equipment we bring has a job. Here's what each one does and why it stays until your readings are dry. See the full glossary.

From the blog

Latest articles.

All 93 articles

Don't let damage linger.

Mold and structural damage can start within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. Get a free estimate and immediate dispatch.

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